Arsenal closing in on £45million transfer - reports

Arsenal are reportedly edging closer to the exciting signing of Bordeaux forward Malcom that could see Alexis Sanchez leave the club for Manchester United.

The Chile international is heading towards the end of his contract and that means he could leave the club on the cheap this January as the North London club do their best to avoid the former Barcelona player for free at the end of the season.

According to Manchester Evening News, the Gunners seem to be seriously keen on Malcom as an ideal replacement for the Chilean in attack, in what appears to be a boost for the Red Devils.

The Manchester club news outlet report that Manchester City's doubts over a deal have given the Red Devils hope of signing Sanchez, with the Gunners asking for around £35million for their star player.

With Daily Mail suggesting the Brazilian would cost the Emirates outfit around £45m, that seems decent piece of business by Arsene Wenger's side in a reshuffle up front that won't cost a fortune.

The prospect of finding a replace for Sanchez, potentially leaving the club for free or for a lower asking price, would have been far from ideal for Arsenal's finances.

Still, the Emirates fans will also be gutted anyway as it looks increasingly likely that Sanchez is heading to one of their major rivals.